Bengaluru Chinnaswamy stampede: KSCA top officials resign, take moral responsibility for 11 deaths

Following the tragic stampede at Bengaluru's M Chinnaswamy Stadium, which resulted in 11 deaths, KSCA Secretary A Shankar and Treasurer A E Jairam have resigned.

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BENGALURU: Days after the horrific stampede at Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium that left 11 people dead and 75 injured, two senior office-bearers of the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) have stepped down, taking moral responsibility for the incident.KSCA Secretary A Shankar and Treasurer A E Jairam tendered their resignations late Friday night. On Saturday morning, they issued a joint press statement confirming their decision.“Due to the unforeseen and unfortunate events that have unfolded in the last two days, and though our role was very limited, we are taking moral responsibility. We have submitted our resignations from our respective posts as Secretary and Treasurer of KSCA,” the statement read.Both Shankar and Jairam are well-known auditors in Bengaluru and have held the honorary positions within KSCA for three years. Their resignations come amid growing public anger and mounting pressure from various quarters demanding accountability from the cricketing body.An FIR was filed against the two along with other KSCA officials following the Wednesday evening tragedy, which occurred during the Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s IPL victory celebrations.A massive crowd had gathered both inside and outside the stadium, leading to a stampede that turned fatal. Chief minister Siddaramaiah had ordered the arrest of KSCA officials responsible for the incident.With the police beginning the search, the duo on Friday approached the High Court seeking anticipatory bail. The petition, which also named KSCA President Raghuram Bhat, argued that the association and its office-bearers were not directly liable for the incident.“There is no wrong that can be attributed to the committee or its office-bearers, as they stand aloof of any liabilities in connection with the unfortunate incident,” the plea stated.While the court granted interim protection from arrest, the resignations of Shankar and Jairam are being seen as a symbolic acceptance of moral responsibility, even as investigations continue into lapses in crowd management and event planning.

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